Fire Survivability of Externally Bonded FRP Strengthening Systems
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 12, Issue 5
Abstract
The use of externally-bonded fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) structures is now widely recognized. However, a concern that continues to discourage the use of FRPs in many applications is their susceptibility to high temperature and fire. Although recent studies have shown that the fire endurance of appropriately designed and insulated FRP strengthened RC members is satisfactory, the specific performance of FRP systems at, and after exposure to, high temperature remains largely unknown. The results of tests on the residual properties after high-temperature exposure of various available FRP strengthening systems for concrete are reported; these include: tension coupon tests, single-lap FRP-to-FRP bond tests, direct tension FRP-to-concrete bond tests, and pull-apart FRP-to-concrete shear bond tests after exposure to temperatures up to . The data show that the allowable exposure temperatures for residual performance of externally bonded FRP systems lie between the glass transition temperature and the thermal decomposition temperature of the resin systems used. The potential consequences for fire-safe design of FRP strengthened RC members are discussed. Material properties during a fire event are not specifically addressed.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), The Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures (ISIS) Canada Research Network, and Queen’s University. The writers are also grateful to Ed Fyfe at Fyfe Co. LLC and Will Gold at BASF Building Systems.
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© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 5, 2007
Accepted: Nov 28, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
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